All eyes on Tampa as Franco debuts
Wong gets call, Plawecki to IL
As baseball’s top prospect, Wander Franco makes his MLB debut with the Rays this week, but the clock continues to tick on when the Red Sox will bring up Jarren Duran, one of their own top prospects.
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
It seems to just be a matter of time, though when remains uncertain.
Duran has continued to impress not only for the Triple-A WooSox, but Team USA earlier this month as he helped them qualify for the Olympics.
The 24-year-old center fielder, who hit a walk-off home run in Worcester on Sunday, seems to be crossing most of the boxes, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora knows he can contribute.
“We are very pleased with the progress with the way he’s playing,” Cora said Tuesday.
“I know people get excited. He hit a walk-off home run the other day, but there’s more there. There’s more than just hitting home runs. His defense is improving. Obviously he’s a game-changer in the base paths and we like where he’s at progress-wise. If it’s tomorrow or it’s in a month or whatever, I know we know he can help us, but there’s a few things still that he needs to keep working on. …
“Like I said, he’s going to help us in the future. But the thing is the future might be tomorrow or it might be in a month or two months or next year, but we do believe this kid is going to help us out.”
Wong gets call
One piece of the Mookie Betts trade is set to make his major-league debut this week.
Connor Wong, traded from the Dodgers in last February’s blockbuster deal, was called up on Tuesday as the Red Sox placed backup catcher Kevin Plawecki, who left Sunday’s game against the Royals, on the injured list with a left hamstring strain.
Cora said Wong will be used in the same way Plawecki was and is likely to start Sunday’s game against the Yankees at Fenway Park. Wong could also be used in the infield or in pinch-running situations.
Wong impressed the Red Sox in spring training, but has struggled at the plate to start the season in Triple-A, slashing .148/.188/.246 in 16 games. But Cora is comfortable with him catching behind the plate.
“There’s a calm behind the plate,” Cora said.
“There’s not a lot of emotion. He just goes about his business. He’s a good athlete. His at-bats in spring training, he controlled the strike zone which is very important and we’re very pleased with his progress. He hasn’t swung the bat well since he came off the (IL), but that doesn’t matter. We like the player, we know what he can do and hopefully here, working with (hitting coaches) Timmy (Hyers) and Pete (Fatse) and obviously the feedback from Geddy (Rich Gedman) down there, just work on things he has to work and he’ll put a good at-bat whenever we need him.”
Sale’s next step
As he continues his Tommy John rehab, Chris Sale was in Portland on Tuesday to throw a bullpen. The Red Sox ace will now pitch to live hitters for the first time on Saturday at Fenway Park.
“So far so good, he’s in a good position,” Cora said. “He feels great. I’ll get the feedback later on (about his bullpen) and I’ll talk to him (Wednesday) morning and we’ll keep moving forward.”
All eyes on Franco
The spotlight was rightfully on Franco on Tuesday as he made his debut at Tropicana Field against the Red Sox, batting second and playing third base. Cora compared the hype he was getting to that of Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. two years ago.
“He controls the strike zone, very athletic, versatile,” Cora said. “He can do a lot of stuff on the field. We saw him a little bit in spring training. Very physical for his age. He’s very strong. They got a good one, they got a good one. He’s a good player. Obviously, we want to get him out and not have a great week against us, but as far as the baseball world, it’s a big day. The No. 1 prospect in baseball, he’s making his debut. He’s hitting second, playing third in a series that people are paying attention to. The future is bright for this kid.”
Franco’s debut reminded Xander Bogaerts of when he was called up in 2013. He also hoped Franco would wait a few days to make an impact.
“It’s fun,” Bogaerts said. “I don’t know how nervous he will be. I can tell you I was pretty nervous. It’s fun, just looking back at how far I came, all those years, it’s something I’m definitely proud of. … I know the expectations are going to be high on him and it’s early, but it’s pretty much in a pennant race. Everyone in the standings is pretty even. Hopefully he gets some pressure and doesn’t play too good this homestand against us. Going by the numbers that I’ve seen and stuff that I’ve heard, he sounds like a pretty exciting player, being able to be the first prospect in baseball. Hopefully he’s nervous, but he’s got the tools.” …
Cora is hopeful that Christian Arroyo, who suffered a right shin bone bruise in Sunday’s loss to the Royals, would be available on Wednesday in Tampa Bay.